Seeking Info on Biking

ZZR-250 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Karma :

Hi
Im interested in motorcycles, but there a few things that id like to know before i get into it activelly. How does the manual shifting affect the quality of the ride? Are there any special procedures when riding down or up hills or stopping on them? Are there any special procedures when riding with an extra person on your motorcycle? What is the worst weather conditions that a bike can be ridden through safely?

Thank you in advance Thumbs Up

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

Stop on hills, hold rear brake on or leave it in gear (or gravity will take effect)

Manual shifting ADDS to the experiance of motorcycling quality of the ride is perfect.

Riding up or down hills you just carry on riding, make sure you dont go too quick over the brow as you cannot see.

A pillion completly changes the characteristics and weight distrubution of the bike and it does not handle the same, also you have another life with you so you ride accordingly

Bikes can be ridden through most things safely bar ice/snow and REALLY heavy wind/rain.

HTH Thumbs Up

ZZR-250 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Karma :

hey thanks a lot.

I was wondering how do you shift manually, like where the clutch is or how to know when to shift.

PS: WHen you go down a hill, do you leave the motorcycle to gravity and apply brakes just to keep it at a certain speed?

Thanks Very Happy

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Clutch in (lever in your left hand), change gear with your left foot, clutch out again.

Like driving a car, you just know when to do it. Sound, vibration, whatever it is, you just know.

Hills... depends how fast you want to go and how steep the hill is. You certainly don't just leave it to gravity, you stay on the power or get on the brakes depending on whether you need to be stopping at the bottom of it.

Muzaffar · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Karma :

Why don't you take a CBT - noly one day and you will learn all the basics. Then get yourself a bike and practice will make things more clear and easy. The biggest thing you will learn is to never coast (leave the bike the gravity and use only brakes). Always keep the bike in gear, and where applicable, use engine breaking by shifting down.

Good luck!
Biking is fun - go for it but be safe.
Muz Thumbs Up

ZZR-250 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Karma :

ok thanks guys Thumbs Up